Description: Manuel Velasquez of Santa Clara University claims in Issues in Ethics that there exist no moral grounds under which exclusion of migrants can be justified, since borders between countries are arbitrary. He argues, therefore, that immigration policies must be crafted with human rights and needs at the forefront, instead of racism and oppression, which has become common.
Description: Kevin Jennings, in his Op-Ed in the Los Angeles Times, challenges anti-immigration rhetoric with the historical fact that “legal” immigration and citizenship requirements didn’t exist as concepts in the United States until 1924.
Description: Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., a Salvadoran Jesuit, speaks in this address about his beliefs that a Christian university has an obligation to work for justice, keeping in mind the Church’s preferential option for the poor. Ellacuría, along with five other Jesuits, would be murdered seven years later for continually speaking out against the oppressive government and standing in solidarity with the poor.
Description: Teacher Dustin Wax shares his idea that being offended when something uncomfortable happens can be a positive feeling, as long as the person that is offended uses that feeling to achieve personal growth.
Description: U.S. Catholic magazine’s article argues that heroism is a selfish and wrong motivation for participating in a service trip to a foreign country.
Description: Pope Paul VI’s encyclical argues that throughout the chaos of the material world- poverty, oppression, addiction, and more, Jesus is the answer to life’s problems.
Description: Eric Immel, S.J. reflects on his experience of being “ruined for life” during his year of service, and of serving as spiritual director for a current Jesuit Volunteer, who he has seen be challenged and heartbroken during her year in ways similar to his service experience.
Description: Pope Paul VI, the Second Vatican Council, and the U.S. Catholic Bishops say that the wealthy are obligated to give to the poor, as all goods are common because they come from God. They call for a special dedication to the poor and their needs as the highest priority for Christians.
Description: Bishop Kenneth E. Untener reflects the ways which “the poor” should been thought about and looked at.
Description: America Magazine author, Dennis Hamm, uses the New Testament to prove the faith’s commitment to justice.